Gluten Free Apple Cinnamon Blondie Skillet

Currently tuning in from a place of pure gratitude.

Not because Thanksgiving is around the corner, although it is quite fitting. I am looking out the window inside my cozy home office at the moment staring at the most beautiful orange, red, and green tree. I have been watching it change over the past couple weeks, noticing subtle shifts in the color and fullness here and there. Oliver is lying beside my feet, although not in either of his 2 dog beds that I have so thoughtfully placed in my office for his comfort. He seems to prefer the carpet these days.

It’s almost noon and I’m still in my pajamas. This has not been typical for me since I started working from home, but I’m wearing a pretty white and red kimono set that I love and I haven’t felt any particular need to change out of them quite yet. A warm cup of tea is propped in my lap and I just finished my Five-Minute Journal entry. One of the things that I wrote down that I am thankful for today is rediscovering my love for cooking and baking.

You see, I write these things not to humble-brag or to ramble, but because they are important. I have prayed for this season of my life for so long. Every night that I frantically rushed home from work to find Oliver sitting in our dark house after 10-12 hours alone. Every time I opted for cereal or a protein bar, or a frozen box of mac and cheese because Sam was traveling 5 out of the 7 days every week. Every time I wished for just a glimpse into the outside world as I sat in a cubicle tucked away into the corner of a dark office building off the highway.

Sam and I talked on the phone in the mornings as I rushed, usually late, on my way to work because Oliver wouldn’t pee and I didn’t want to get out of bed. I suppose I subconsciously didn’t want to leave Oliver either because I was terrified that I was going to come home to him gone from the cancer that we had no choice but to accept. I didn’t want him to be alone when it took him.

By this point in the morning, I was usually in tears because I was so frustrated and overwhelmed. I felt like Sam and I would live in 2 different cities forever. I didn’t have a love for cooking or baking, journaling, or walking outside. I felt like I was constantly treading water, just to keep from drowning.

It’s difficult to feel creative or passionate about anything when you’re in that place; I know it well. It was a period of my life that I felt like I stopped dreaming. I couldn’t really imagine what I wanted for the next 5 years because I was simply focused on getting through the next day without a breakdown.

Sam would try to pull me out of it and I remember telling him on so many occasions, “I just can’t think about anything else right now. I don’t have enough space in my head to add another thing.” I was juggling my full-time job, a freelance job, my blog, and taking care of Oliver and the house. Not to mention friends, family, my mental health, and fitness were falling to the side. I felt like I had one foot in in every area of my life and I was failing.

It really wasn’t until we decided once and for all to move to Virginia for Sam’s work that I saw the light at the end of the tunnel. It started with a simple print-out of our house layout and some secret Pinterest boards. It was the first time that I actually didn't want to go straight to sleep once I finished my work. I found my passion again; no, it wasn’t for something I was getting paid to do or what my expertise was in, but it lit me up and that was a good start.

Slowly, since that turning point, I have been able to start creating and dreaming again. I am finding my way back to things that make me excited to learn and share. I am noticing the subtle color change in leaves and the smell of my morning coffee. While my parents were visiting last weekend, my Mom paused mid-conversation and asked me how I’m really doing and I told her that I’ve genuinely never been happier. This is an important season and I refuse to let it pass without celebrating and appreciating every moment.

When Sam and I were making this blondie skillet on Sunday afternoon after a lazy morning, I was reminded of how much I love to bake. We had a cooking show on the TV (Girl Meets Farm) in the background, I was making a mess of the kitchen with almond flour, and Sam and I were letting Oliver be the taste-tester of the caramelized apples filling the house with the most amazing Fall smell.

How could I ask for more?

If you have read up until this point and have tears in your eyes, or a lump in your throat, just know that I see you. You may be experiencing a similar season that I walked through not so long ago. You can, and will, get to the other side. I promise you that.

My advice for you if you feel like you’ve lost passion or creativity in your life, or you feel like you simply aren’t dreaming anymore: give yourself grace (you’re doing the best you can), unplug from technology and work at least once every week, get outside without your phone (it’s beautiful), and create something (anything) to get excited again.

Now… I may or may not have a great place to start (psssst: see below). This Gluten-Free Apple Cinnamon Blondie Skillet is not only a freaking blast to create, but it will make your house smell incredible, and your tastebuds jump with joy. The inside is filled with gooey warm blondie with pieces of caramelized apples in every bite, and the outside is crispy and decadent. Top it with a few scoops of vanilla ice cream and you’ve got the perfect combination of hot and cold, salty and sweet.

This is, hands-down, Sam and my favorite dessert of all time. It was originally based off of a blondie skillet at one of our go-to, raved-about restaurants in Baltimore. You want my honest opinion though? In a blind taste-test, I just think ours might win. Boom.

I dare you to turn on some good Fall jams, forget about your kitchen getting messy, and dance while you lick the caramelized apples off the spoon. You got this, girl.

Gluten-Free Apple Cinnamon Blondie

• 6 tbsp unsalted butter (for batter)

• 1 tbsp unsalted butter (for apple filling)

• 3/4 cup almond flour

• 1/8 tsp baking soda

• 1/2 tsp baking powder

• 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

• 1 egg

• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

• 3/4 cup brown sugar (for batter)

• 2 tbsp brown sugar (for apple filling)

• 1/2 apple, chopped

Topping

• 1/2 apple, thinly sliced

• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

• 2 tbsp brown sugar

• 1 tbsp unsalted butter

• ice cream, optional

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Melt the butter in a microwave safe bowl, then transfer to a mixing bowl.

3. Add brown sugar and whisk to combine.

4. Add the vanilla extract and egg and whisk until incorporated.

5. In another bowl, combine dry ingredients.

6. Slowly add dry ingredients to wet ingredients until combined. Set aside.

7. In a non-stick, medium size skillet over medium-low heat, add 1 tbsp butter. Heat until bubbling and clear. Add 2 tbsp brown sugar, mix to combine about 2 minutes.

8. Add chopped apples to pan, combine, and cook until soft and caramelized. Remove from stovetop.

9. Fold in caramelized apple pieces and sauce from pan to the blondie batter. Do not wipe out pan.

10. Pour blondie batter into an 8 inch skillet (lightly grease the skillet with butter if new).

11. Add blondie to oven and bake for about 35-40 minutes.

12. In the same saucepan used earlier, over medium-low heat, add 1 tbsp butter. Heat until bubbling and clear. Add 2 tbsp brown sugar and 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon, mix to combine about 2 minutes.

13. Add thinly sliced apples to pan, combine, and cook until soft and caramelized. Remove from stovetop.

14. Allow blondie to cool for about 30 minutes (it will continue to cook a little as it cools), then top with caramelized apples, caramel sauce from the pan, and ice cream.

Recipe inspired by Life, Love and Sugar.

I would LOVE to see how your Apple Cinnamon Blondie Skillet turns out! Tag me in your post or stories on Instagram (@lifestylebyannaelizabeth) for a chance to be featured.

Want more recipes? Check out Oven Baked Brie with Blackberries, Rosemary, and Toasted Walnuts and Sparkling Fig and Thyme Cider Cocktail.

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xo Anna Elizabeth